The 31st annual Kirk Goodwin Memorial Race exceeded expectations this weekend, raising about $30,000.
The 5K has been an annual event put on by the men of Galaxy since the mid-1980s in memory of Kirk Goodwin, a former ACU track team and Galaxy member, who was killed in a car crash in 1984. The proceeds have gone to different families each year in need of assistance with medical expenses.
This year, Galaxy added the inaugural Run the West Half Marathon, switching it up from last year’s 10K trial run. About 100 runners participated in Run the West, while about 200 ran in the 5K. Saturday’s proceeds exceeded last year’s by about $20,000 with the addition of the half marathon.
Senior Aaron Brooks, marketing major from Burleson and member of Galaxy, has been actively involved in planning the race for the last few years, and has seen it grow in size and profit. As a race director, he helped with marketing and sponsorships, which include new partnerships this year with Starbucks, McAlister’s, Ford and Chevrolet in addition to long-time sponsorships from Hilliard Office Solutions and the ACU Students’ Association.
“The reason why I’ve been taking such an active role for three years was because I believe in the mission of KGR,” Brooks said. “I actually see positive impact and changes that are happening in the community. The KGR has a 30-year track record of service and it’s easy to back something with such a genuine purpose.”
Galaxy also recently partnered with Medical Care Mission, a nonprofit that helps families in the Abilene community who cannot afford medical care. All proceeds from the race will go to Medical Care Mission, again straying from tradition as proceeds used to be split between several causes.
Race director Brady Kile, senior marketing major from Fort Worth, said the partnership with Medical Care Mission is a great way to honor Kirk Goodwin’s memory and reach a wider range of people in need of help.
“Partnering with the Medical Care Mission will allow us to raise significantly higher amounts of money in the future and use the same amount of money to support more families than in the past,” Kile said.
Many people in the Abilene area lack access to basic medial care and are unable to receive state and federal support, he said.
“Our partnership with Medical Care Mission allows us to serve those people as we honor the legacy of Kirk Goodwin,” Kile said.
